Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

DUBAI – An expatriate found guilty of using illegal drugs in Dubai has been spared from deportation after the local court abolished the order. The court also upheld a previous ruling reducing his fine of Dh10,000 to Dh5,000. There were no details released about his identity or nationality. The Dubai Appeals Court allowed the man to remain in the UAE based on a recent amendment to the anti-narcotics law that came into effect on January 2. Under the amended law, deportation for drug users is no longer mandatory, and the judge can decide on whether or not a convict in drug cases can be allowed to stay in the UAE. Dubai Police arrested the man in 2020 after receiving information that he was in possession of illegal drugs. He underwent laboratory testing confirming that he consumed illegal drugs. He pleaded guilty to the charge, but in his appeal, judges cancelled his deportation order since he did not have any prior criminal record in the UAE. His lawyer said the deportation order could have “destroyed his future”, adding that the man has a stable job and is a UAE resident for many years. ICA/Expat Media
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